In an attempt to sway the Governor on the issue, representatives of the different organizations will bear witness outside the statehouse every day. The Conference has taken responsibility for Fridays from Oct. 6 through Nov. 10.
Conference Minister and President The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal will take part in all but one of the Friday protests.
"When Craig Altemose, Executive Director of the Better Future Project, called me a month ago to see if the UCC would be interested in taking responsibility for turn-out for one of the 5 weekdays of this action, I said 'absolutely,'" Antal said.
The other organizations taking part are 350 Mass, Clean Water Action, Toxics Action Center, Massachusetts Sierra Club, UU Mass Action and Elders Climate Action.
The action began last week (see article below) with delivery of the this letter to the governor. The Twitter hashtag for this effort is #StandUpCharlie
Anyone available to participate on one or more of the six Fridays is asked to contact Jim Antal’s assistant, Patti Babcock by filling out this form.
If you do sign-up to participate, please read the letter delivered to Gov. Baker’s office on September 13th, and create a sign or banner asking Gov. Baker to Stand Up for Climate -- or something more catchy than that – and make it clear that you’re representing the UCC / United Church of Christ. Arrive at General Hooker Entrance of the State House between noon and 12:10 PM, wearing clothes that are suitable / dignified. The witness will go from 12:10 PM – 12:45 PM.
MACUCC Represented at State House Climate Action
Sept. 13, 2017
Two Massachusetts Conference representatives took part in a lunchtime stand in at the Massachusetts State House today calling on Governor Charlie Baker to take urgent action on the climate crisis by releasing an executive order to cease all new natural gas infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth.Emma Brewer-Wallin, who is returning to the Conference as a climate intern, and Old South Church in Boston Associate Pastor John Edgerton took part in today's action, which was organized by Mass Power Forward, a coalition of environmental, climate, community and faith groups. In addition to the Conference, coalition members include: 350 Mass, Clean Water Action, Toxics Action Center, Massachusetts Sierra Club, UU Mass Action and Elders Climate Action.
The stand-in tactic was adopted by Mass Power Forward in the spirit of a recently completed 90-day anti-pipeline sit-in led by Massachusetts resident Andrea Honore, which is credited with leading to the Baker administration’s public health review of a proposed compressor station in Weymouth. (Read more about the role of the East Weymouth Congregational Church and Pilgrim Church in North Weymouth in that action here.)